Ulysse Nardin
Ulysse Nardin is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1846 and currently part of the Kering group.
History
The company founded 1846 in the Swiss Le Locle bears the name of its founder Ulysse Nardin. He was first trained in the art of watchmaking by his father, Leonard-Frederic Nardin (*1792); thereafter he developed his skills at the known masters Frederic William Dubois and Louis JeanRichard-dit-Bressel.
Ulysse Nardin acquired a high reputation mainly by the manufacturing of Marine Chronometers. (Today the anchor in the company logo reminds us this.) Furthermore, pocket watches with complications such as moon phase, perpetual calendar, repetition and watches with alarm function were produced. The number of employees in 1900 were an impressive 300.
The chronograph, presented at the Olympic Games 1936, became known and was later re-launched as model Berlin.
Ulysse Nardin declared bankruptcy on March 14, 1978 and was purchased by Ogival of Le Locle in 1979.
The next phase of the company was presided over by Rolf W. Schnyder. He took over the company in 1983 and remained in charge until his death in 2011. From his collaboration with the scientist, watchmaker, inventor and historian Prof. Dr. Ludwig Oechslin emerged a series of famous astronomical models such as the Astrolabe, the Planetarium and the Tellurium Johannes Kepler.
Ulysse Nardin was acquired by luxury group, Kering in 2014, joining Girard-Perregaux, JeanRichard, and Gucci.
Literature
- Trilogy of Time: Astrolabium, Planetarium, Tellurium, by Marcus Hanke, Le Locle 2004
Address
Ulysse Nardin SA
3, Rue du Jardin
CH-2400 Le Locle
Schweiz